Squinting through the sweat or sun. Camp 2007.

While I am out of the blogosphere I’d like to recommend a few writers. If you miss the Stevo, his lackluster images and semi-literate words, check out the following writers (who are far, far better):

Average Jane paints amazing pictures with words. Her prose stun me. Amuirin is one of the best writers on the web. Her insights are both humorous and profound.

Globetrotteri offers readers possibly the best Asian-expat blog. Great photos and stories. Ron’s photoblog is something to behold. He is a master and I but a novice.

Bibliomom and Robin both have photos of naked, sexy feet (and other stuff too). Jackie (the hottest doll on the internet), David and The Silent LOL make me laugh.

Give AOS and Ben a read, both are somewhere between wonderful and spectacular. I have no words to describe David Rochester. He thinks deep thoughts and makes me feel very shallow.

Have good time, make new friends, etc. Until next we meet…

Reconnaissance is important, any military-type or pre-sale shopper will agree.

On my summer trip to Guilin I did a little scouting before snapping away. On a map, on my cheap hostel bed, I plotted what I wanted to shoot, and then went for a little walk. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times for photography (some may disagree). The light is colorful and warms up each frame.

I visited each location and looked at how it was situated in relation to the sun. How would it look at 8 am? How would it look at 7 pm? I used a little imagination, and knowledge. Luck is another factor in photography that most pros never acknowledge. I’m of the belief that most of the best photographs are accidental, and the artist is as surprised as those that view his or her work.

This is a tower shot at 9 am. Without putting too fine a point on it: It sucks.

This is same tower shot on my return, after planning for the late afternoon light. Much better, I think.

Scout before you shoot is the nugget I pass along. With a little luck, something great can be captured.

This is all from me for a while. I’m a little busy to post and comment. Real life, employment and obligations can be problematic. I’ll be in a cyber-suspended animation for the next week or so. Don’t you forget about me!

The Police once sang a little ditty entitled, King of Pain. It seems, according to Google Images, I am the King of Cheese (well, maybe a minor prince). Below are some search results from the past few days. A crisp new Finn to anyone who can tell me what “hairy cheese” is.

I left in Little Gem scooter maintenance because it’s amusing and I don’t have the slightest idea how that term brought someone here.

cheese
Little Gem scooter maintenance
pics of cheese
cheese block
cheese
hairy cheese
block of cheese
cheese
moon cheese

If you are reading this because the repost of the cheese photo brought you here, I say, “HA!”

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. Friedrich Nietzsche

for Heather

I am drinking water and effervescent Aspirin out of the same glass I drank the Scotch from last night that inflicted this illness.